War Child's iconic 1995 'HELP Album' gets 25th anniversary reissue
Featuring Radiohead, Blur, Oasis and more
Last updated 26th Aug 2020
War Child’s landmark 1995 compilation ‘The HELP Album’ is getting a limited-edition reissue on vinyl next month to marks its 25th anniversary.
Originally released on 9th September 1995, ‘The HELP Album’ featured songs recorded by a variety of music icons. It was recorded at London’s Abbey Road Studios on Monday 4th September 1995, mixed on Tuesday 5th September, and in the shops four days later.
Contributors to the special project included Oasis and Friends, The Boo Radleys, The Stone Roses, Radiohead, Orbital, Portishead, Massive Attack, Suede, The Charlatans vs. The Chemical Brothers, Stereo MCs, Sinéad O'Connor, the Levellers, Manic Street Preachers, Terrovision, The One World Orchestra, Planet 4 Folk Quartet, Terry Hall and Salad, Neneh Cherry and Trout, Blur and The Smokin' Mojo Filters (Paul McCartney, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher).
Featuring artwork by The Stone Roses’ John Squire, ‘The HELP Album’ raised more than £1.25 million for War Child. The proceeds went to war-hit areas including Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Commenting on the album at the time, which was recorded at the height of the Oasis verus Blur feud, Noel Gallagher said: "We'll put aside our differences for the cause - and it's the only time you'll see the two of us agreeing on anything."
Exactly a quarter of a century on, ‘The Help Album’ is being re-released on Friday 9th September 2020 to raise essential funds for War Child's crucial lifesaving work responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
Available to by on 180g double vinyl, the album is limited to only 2,020 copies worldwide and you can pre-order it right here. It’s also available to listen to on streaming services for the first time.
This reissue comes complete with never-before-seen photos by esteemed photographer Lawrence Watson of the recording session with Paul McCartney, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher at Abbey Road in September 1995.
The HELP Album vinyl track-listing is as follows:
Side A
Oasis and Friends – ‘Fade Away’
The Boo Radleys – ‘Oh Brother’
The Stone Roses – ‘Love Spreads’
Radiohead – ‘Lucky’
Orbital – ‘Adnan’
Side B
Portishead – ‘Mourning Air’
Massive Attack – ‘Fake the Aroma’ (alternate version of "Karmacoma")
Suede – ‘Shipbuilding’
The Charlatans vs. The Chemical Brothers – ‘Time For Livin'’
Stereo MCs – ‘Sweetest Truth (Show No Fear)’
Side C
Sinéad O'Connor – ‘Ode to Billie Joe’
The Levellers – ‘Searchlights’
Manic Street Preachers – ‘Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head’
Terrorvision – ‘Tom Petty Loves Veruca Salt’
The One World Orchestra featuring The Massed Pipes and Drums of the Children's Free Revolutionary Volunteer Guards (aka The KLF) – ‘The Magnificent’
Side D
Planet 4 Folk Quartet – ‘Message to Crommie’
Terry Hall and Salad – ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’
Neneh Cherry and Trout – ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 5’
Blur – ‘Eine kleine Lift Musik’
The Smokin' Mojo Filters – ‘Come Together’